babel projects ltd
workplace design research for the Financial Conduct Authority
babel projects' Jennifer collaborated with Loughborough University’s School of Exercise, Health and Sports Science on a major, independent 16-month research and consultancy project for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The study, conducted during the FCA’s relocation to new premises in Stratford, examined the impact of the physical environment (active design features, sit-stand desks, quiet zones) and new ways of working (agile working) on various indicators of worker physical and mental wellbeing.
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Jennifer was contracted by Loughborough University to support the design, implementation, and day-to-day management of this complex, multi-faceted study.
the challenge
managing academic rigour during corporate relocation
The core challenge was conducting a statistically rigorous, independent research study, requiring sensitive health and movement data, within the dynamic, high-pressure context of a massive corporate relocation. This required coordinating complex pre- and post-move measures across a large corporate population, while ensuring the research objectives aligned with the client’s organisational priorities.
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Data collection was multi-faceted, requiring precise management of logistics:
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A large online survey.
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Stakeholder interviews.
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Objective health assessments (BMI and blood pressure).
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Deployment of accelerometer devices worn by participants for seven days to objectively track sitting, standing, and walking time.
the solution
expert project management and building strong relationships
Jennifer provided the instrumental project management and organisational capacity necessary to execute the 16-month study on schedule. Her significant corporate experience was crucial in translating academic requirements into workable corporate procedures.
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The academic partner highlighted this dual capability:
Jennifer is skilled at building relationships and partnered closely with internal HR representatives and the Communications team, using her significant corporate experience to ensure an effective bridge was created between the academic and organisational priorities.
- Dr Fehmidah Munir, Reader, Loughborough University
Her organisational command ensured the integrity of the data pipeline:
She demonstrated her excellent organisational skills through her management of participant recruitment, survey dissemination and appointment coordination. She also showed great tenacity in stakeholder management and an ability to anticipate and resolve problems to keep the project on schedule.
- Dr Fehmidah Munir, Reader, Loughborough University
the result
workable recommendations from multi-faceted data
The project successfully delivered a final client report based on the synthesis of multi-faceted qualitative and quantitative data. Jennifer played a key role in the final analysis and reporting phase, ensuring the academic findings were translated into strong, workable recommendations for the FCA.
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The quality of the final output was defined by its ability to marry research findings with corporate needs:
Jennifer also undertook complex statistical analyses and played a key role in the preparation and presentation of the final client report, synthesising the multi-faceted data and marrying it with organisational needs, to deliver strong, workable recommendations to the client."
- Dr Fehmidah Munir, Reader, Loughborough University
The collaborative success confirmed the value of the firm's approach:
Jennifer’s passion and drive for her subject are clear in the high quality of her work, and her conscientious and personable nature mean she is a pleasure to work with. I would have no hesitation in recommending her for similar work in the future.
- Dr Fehmidah Munir, Reader, Loughborough University
